In a way, Lower the Bar is the perfect title for the new Steel Panther album. You see, whether consciously or not, that’s what they’ve done on two consecutive albums now, following the two relatively lights-out records (Feel the Steel and Balls Out) that broke them out. Album No. 5 is still unmistakably a Steel Panther record — and, to its credit, one that boasts a couple of absolute panty-dropping tunes — but something’s just amiss this time out. Continue reading →

March 20, 2017

Good morning, it’s time to metal. Here’s some news you might have missed from over the weekend:

First things first: as always, a whole bunch of bands dropped new music on Friday, including Woe, Obituary and more. Check out Josh’s recap here.

This isn’t nearly metal, but it’s still a damn shame: rock ‘n’ roll originator Chuck Berrypassed away over the weekend at age 90. Hell of a life, and an incredible loss. Rest in peace, Chuck.

Well, this sucks: Singaporean grinders Wormrot havecancelled their planned U.S. tour due to concerns over having proper papers in the current political climate. That includes their appearance at Maryland Deathfest. Fuck the Orange One forever.

Baroness frontman John Dyer Baizley, who curated this year’s Roadburn Festival, announced that he, bandmates Pete Adams and Marek Sarba, and Neurosis frontman Scott Kelly will join forces to perform a set of punk covers at the festival. I’m totally not upset that I’m not going to Roadburn this year. Not upset at all. Not one bit.

Ahead of their upcoming debut album, supergroup Dead Cross — featuring Mike Patton, Dave Lombardo and others — dropped a new song called “Shillelagh.” I don’t know who or what a “Shillelagh” is, but you should listen to it. Because Mike Patton.

And finally, Steel Panther put out another new music video called “I Got What You Want,” which — let’s be real — there’s no way I wasn’t going to include in this round-up. Check it out below:

The band’s new album, Lower the Bar, drops this Friday. Anyway, that’ll do it for now — check back this time tomorrow for our next edition!